U.S. patent application number 13/401008 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-30 for merchandise display security tether including releasable adhesive.
This patent application is currently assigned to INVUE SECURITY PRODUCTS INC.. Invention is credited to Joshua Abdollahzadeh, David N. Berglund, Justin A. Richardson, Robert Schultz.
Application Number | 20120217371 13/401008 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46718335 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120217371 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Abdollahzadeh; Joshua ; et
al. |
August 30, 2012 |
MERCHANDISE DISPLAY SECURITY TETHER INCLUDING RELEASABLE
ADHESIVE
Abstract
A merchandise display security tether includes a mounting base,
a releasable adhesive for releasably attaching the mounting base to
an article of merchandise, and a housing configured to be
positioned over the mounting base and a releasing portion of the
releasable adhesive. The housing is secured to the mounting base by
a tamper-proof fastener to prevent access to the releasing portion
of the releasable adhesive. The security tether further includes a
security cable having a first end attached to the housing and a
second end for attachment to a merchandise display. The housing is
removable by a special tool to expose the releasing portion of the
releasable adhesive. The releasing portion is pulled to release the
mounting base and the article of merchandise without damage to the
merchandise and without leaving an adhesive residue on the
merchandise.
Inventors: |
Abdollahzadeh; Joshua;
(Denver, NC) ; Berglund; David N.; (Charlotte,
NC) ; Richardson; Justin A.; (Waxhaw, NC) ;
Schultz; Robert; (Charlotte, NC) |
Assignee: |
INVUE SECURITY PRODUCTS
INC.
Charlotte
NC
|
Family ID: |
46718335 |
Appl. No.: |
13/401008 |
Filed: |
February 21, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61446101 |
Feb 24, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/551 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B 15/1607 20130101;
G08B 13/1463 20130101; A47G 1/175 20130101; E05B 73/0082 20130101;
G08B 13/1445 20130101; E05B 73/0005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/551 |
International
Class: |
F16M 13/00 20060101
F16M013/00 |
Claims
1. A merchandise display security device for displaying and
protecting an article of merchandise from theft, the security
device comprising: a mounting base; a releasable adhesive for
releasably attaching the mounting base to the article of
merchandise; and a housing configured to be secured to the mounting
base and to prevent access to at least a releasing portion of the
releasable adhesive.
2. The security device of claim 1, wherein the releasable adhesive
comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) strip having a first
side adapted to be adhered to the mounting base and a second side
adapted to be releasably adhered to the article of merchandise.
3. The security device of claim 2, wherein the second side of the
pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) strip is releasably adhered to
the article of merchandise such that the article of merchandise is
removable from the mounting base without damaging the article of
merchandise.
4. The security device of claim 2, wherein the second side of the
pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) strip is releasably adhered to
the article of merchandise such that the article of merchandise is
removable from the mounting base without leaving an adhesive
residue on the article of merchandise.
5. The security device of claim 1, wherein the housing is
positioned over the mounting base and the releasing portion of the
releasable adhesive, and wherein the housing is secured to the
mounting base by a tamper-proof fastener.
6. The security device of claim 5, wherein the mounting base has a
threaded insert and wherein the tamper-proof fastener engages the
threaded insert to secure the housing to the mounting base.
7. The security device of claim 1, further comprising a security
cable having a first end attached to the housing and having a
second end configured to be secured to a merchandise display.
8. The security device of claim 7, wherein the first end of the
security cable is movably attached to the housing such that the
article of merchandise is movable relative to the security
cable.
9. The security device of claim 7, wherein the security cable
comprises a cable loop at the second end such that the security
cable can be looped around a bar and the housing passed through the
cable loop to secure the article of merchandise to the merchandise
display.
10. The security device of claim 7, wherein the security cable
comprises an anchor assembly at the second end such that the
security cable can be anchored to a display surface to secure the
article of merchandise to the merchandise display.
11. The security device of claim 10, wherein the anchor assembly
comprises a tamper-proof fastener for anchoring the second end of
the security cable to the merchandise display.
12. A method of displaying and protecting an article of merchandise
from theft, the method comprising: providing a merchandise display
security device comprising a mounting base, a releasable adhesive
for releasably adhering the mounting base to the article of
merchandise, and a housing configured to prevent access to a
releasing portion of the releasable adhesive; adhering one side of
the releasable adhesive to a first surface of the mounting base;
adhering the other side of the releasable adhesive to the article
of merchandise; attaching a first end of a security cable to the
housing and securing a second end of the security cable to a
merchandise display; positioning the housing over the mounting base
and the releasing portion of the releasable adhesive; and attaching
the housing to the mounting base to prevent access to the releasing
portion of the releasable adhesive without detaching the housing
from the mounting base.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein securing a second end of the
security cable to a merchandise display comprises: providing a
cable loop at the second end of the security cable; looping the
security cable around a bar of the merchandise display; and passing
the housing through the cable loop to secure the article of
merchandise to the merchandise display with the housing secured to
the mounting base.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: detaching the
housing from the mounting base to expose the releasing portion of
the releasable adhesive; and pulling the releasing portion of the
releasable adhesive to release the mounting base and the article of
merchandise without causing damage to the article of merchandise
and without leaving an adhesive residue on the article of
merchandise.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein detaching the housing from the
mounting base comprises removing a tamper-proof fastener from the
mounting base.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein securing a second end of the
security cable to a merchandise display comprises: providing an
anchor assembly at the second end of the security cable, the anchor
assembly comprising a tamper-proof fastener; and anchoring the
second end of the security cable to the merchandise display using
the tamper-proof fastener to prevent the article of merchandise
being removed from the merchandise display.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: detaching the
housing from the mounting base to expose the releasing portion of
the releasable adhesive; and pulling the releasing portion of the
releasable adhesive to release the mounting base and the article of
merchandise without causing damage to the article of merchandise
and without leaving an adhesive residue on the article of
merchandise.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein detaching the housing from the
mounting base comprises removing a tamper-proof fastener from the
mounting base.
19. A merchandise display security tether for displaying and
protecting an article of merchandise from theft, the security
tether comprising: a mounting base; a releasable adhesive for
releasably attaching the mounting base to the article of
merchandise; a housing configured to be positioned over the
mounting base and a releasing portion of the releasable adhesive,
the housing being removably secured to the mounting base so as to
prevent access to the releasing portion of the releasable adhesive;
and a security cable having a first end attached to the housing and
a second end configured for attachment to a merchandise display;
wherein the releasing portion of the releasable adhesive permits
the article or merchandise to be detached from the mounting
base.
20. The security tether of claim 19, wherein the releasable
adhesive comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) strip and
wherein the releasing portion of the releasable adhesive comprises
a releasing tab at an end of the pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA)
strip that is pulled to detach the article of merchandise from the
mounting base without damage to the article of merchandise and
without leaving an adhesive reside on the article of merchandise.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE To RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This non-provisional application claims the benefits of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/446,101, filed on Feb. 24, 2011, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to merchandise display
security devices for displaying and protecting an article of
merchandise from theft. More particularly, the invention is a
merchandise display security tether including a releasable adhesive
for attaching the tether to an article of merchandise. In an
exemplary embodiment, a merchandise display security tether
includes a housing and at least one releasable adhesive strip,
wherein the housing is configured to prevent access to a mounting
base that is securely attached to the article of merchandise by
means of the releasable adhesive strip. In another exemplary
embodiment, a releasable adhesive permits a merchandise display
security tether to be quickly and easily removed from an article of
merchandise without causing damage to the merchandise and without
leaving an adhesive residue on the merchandise that requires
subsequent cleaning.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Retailers routinely display articles of merchandise, such as
portable computers (e.g. notebooks, laptops, tablets, etc.),
e-readers, media players, and the like for customers to evaluate
before making a purchase. These articles of merchandise are
continually being made smaller and lighter in weight due to
advances in technology and materials. As a result, such merchandise
is increasingly vulnerable and susceptible to theft. At the same
time, the retail price and profit margin for such merchandise
continues to decline. Accordingly, these articles of merchandise
need to be secured by a security device that effectively and cost
efficiently protects the merchandise from theft.
[0004] Merchandise display security devices for displaying and
protecting articles of merchandise attached to a mechanical tether
are known. However, the known devices are not configured to be
removed quickly and easily without causing damage to the article of
merchandise and without leaving an adhesive residue on the
merchandise that requires subsequent cleaning.
[0005] Known merchandise display security devices include a
security tether consisting of a vinyl covered steel cable that is
configured to attach at one end to an opening, recess or slot
provided on a laptop computer. The other end of the tether is
looped around a secure fixture, such as a bar, post, table leg or
the like, or alternatively, is anchored, for example by a
mechanical fastener, to a tabletop, counter, shelf or other display
surface used in retail sales. It is also known to secure the other
end of the tether to a mounting base that is in turn attached to
the tabletop, counter, shelf or other display surface by means of a
relatively strong adhesive.
[0006] A particular merchandise display security device configured
to protect portable computers and like articles of merchandise is
available from InVue Security Products Inc. of Charlotte, N.C.,
USA, and commercially known as the LTO Series 940 alarming module.
The LTO Series 940 alarming module includes a tether having an
anchor at one end and an alarm module at the other end. The anchor
is configured to be quickly and easily anchored to a display
surface, such as a tabletop, counter, shelf or the like used to
conveniently display the portable article of merchandise for retail
sales. The alarm module is configured to be quickly and easily
attached to a relatively flat surface on the article of
merchandise, for example to the rear surface of the display screen
or video monitor of a laptop computer. The tether further includes
a sense loop so that the alarm module will activate an alarm if the
tether is cut, severed or decoupled from the anchor or the alarm
module. The alarm module also activates the alarm if the anchor is
removed from the display surface, or alternatively, if the alarm
module is detached from the article of merchandise. The alarm
module is typically attached to the article of merchandise by means
of a relatively high-strength adhesive, for example a double-sided
pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), so that the alarm module remains
attached to the article of merchandise during an attempted theft
and continues to alert store personnel to the location of the
merchandise. As a result, it is nearly impossible to remove the
alarm module from the article of merchandise without damaging the
merchandise and without rendering the merchandise unsuitable for
sale as a result of the adhesive residue that remains on the
article when the alarm module is detached from the merchandise.
[0007] Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved merchandise
display security device for protecting an article of merchandise
from theft. There exists a further and more specific need for a
merchandise display security tether including a releasable adhesive
for attaching the tether to an article of merchandise. There exists
another further and more specific need for a merchandise display
security tether including a housing and at least one releasable
adhesive strip, wherein the housing is configured to prevent access
to a mounting base that is securely attached to the article of
merchandise by means of the releasable adhesive strip. There exists
yet another further and more specific need for a releasable
adhesive that permits a merchandise display security tether to be
quickly and easily removed from an article of merchandise without
causing damage to the merchandise and without leaving an adhesive
residue on the merchandise that requires subsequent cleaning.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of a merchandise display security tether for displaying
and protecting an article of merchandise according to the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of a mounting base and an adhesive strip assembly of the
merchandise display security tether of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of an anchor assembly of the merchandise display
security tether of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the merchandise display
security tether of FIG. 1 shown with the mounting base attached to
an article of merchandise and the anchor assembly secured to a
display surface.
[0012] FIGS. 5A-5H are series perspective views illustrating an
exemplary embodiment of a first method for displaying and
protecting an article of merchandise using the merchandise display
security tether of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIGS. 6A-6J are series perspective views illustrating an
exemplary embodiment of a second method for displaying and
protecting an article of merchandise using the merchandise display
security tether of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIGS. 7A-7D are series perspective views illustrating an
exemplary embodiment of a method for removing the mounting base and
adhesive strip assembly of the merchandise display security tether
of FIG. 1 from an article of merchandise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Referring now to the accompanying drawing figures wherein
like reference numerals denote like elements throughout the various
views, one or more exemplary embodiments of a merchandise display
security device for displaying and protecting an article of
merchandise from theft are shown. More particularly, the drawing
figures show exemplary embodiments of a merchandise display
security tether, indicated generally by reference character 20, for
being attached to an article of merchandise, indicated generally by
reference character M in FIG. 4. As shown and described herein, the
merchandise display security tether 20 includes a housing 50
configured to prevent access to a mounting base 30 that is
releasably attached to the article of merchandise M by a releasable
adhesive strip assembly 40. The adhesive strip assembly 40 readily
releases the mounting base 30 from the article of merchandise M in
the event that the merchandise is to be removed from a retail sales
display, for example to be sold. A particular feature of the
present invention is that the merchandise display security tether
20 displays and protects an article of merchandise M from
unauthorized removal or theft from a retail sales display, yet can
be readily (i.e. quickly and easily) removed from the merchandise.
Another feature of the present invention is that the mounting base
30 of the merchandise display security tether 20 is attached to the
article of merchandise M by a releasable adhesive strip assembly 40
so that the mounting base can be detached without causing damage to
the merchandise and without leaving an adhesive residue on the
merchandise that requires subsequent cleaning. Still another
feature of the present invention is that the housing 50 is
removably secured on the mounting base 30 by a tamper-proof
fastener. Accordingly, an article of merchandise M attached to the
mounting base 30 of the merchandise display security tether 20 can
be moved from one display location to another by removing the
housing 50 from the mounting base without the need to detach the
merchandise from the mounting base.
[0016] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a merchandise
display security tether 20 according to the invention for
displaying and protecting an article of merchandise M from
unauthorized removal or theft from a display, for example, in a
retail store. The article of merchandise M is typically a display
model or an operational sample of electronic merchandise, such as
portable computers (e.g. notebooks, laptops, tablets, etc.),
e-readers, media players and the like, for a customer to examine
before making a decision to purchase the item. The article of
merchandise M is attached to the merchandise display security
tether 20 in a manner that permits a prospective purchaser to
evaluate the operation and features of the merchandise, while
protecting the merchandise from a potential thief. In the exemplary
embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the article of merchandise M is a
conventional laptop computer having a display screen S, and the
mounting base 30 (disposed within removable housing 50) is attached
to the rear surface of the display screen.
[0017] As best shown in FIG. 2, the merchandise display security
tether 20 includes the mounting base 30 and the releasable adhesive
strip assembly 40 for attaching the mounting base to an article of
merchandise. The mounting base 30 comprises a relatively thin, yet
substantially rigid body 35 having a generally planar and flat
first surface 31 configured (sized and shaped) to receive the
releasable adhesive strip assembly 40. An opposite second surface
32 of the mounting base 30 is stiffened by means of a plurality of
integrally-formed ribs 35A that extend radially from a threaded
insert 33 configured to receive a mating tamper-proof security
fastener 70 (FIG. 1). The adhesive strip assembly 40 comprises at
least one, and preferably, a plurality of double-sided pressure
sensitive adhesive (PSA) strips 41 adapted to be pressed into firm
engagement with the first surface 31 of mounting base 30. Suitable
PSA strips 41 are available from 3M Company of St. Paul, Minn.,
USA, and are commercially known as COMMAND.TM. Mounting Strips.
However, any double-sided pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) capable
of being adhered to and readily removed from the article of
merchandise M without leaving an adhesive residue is suitable for
use with the present invention.
[0018] Each PSA strip 41 is generally planar and has pressure
sensitive adhesive disposed on both of its opposing flat surfaces.
One generally planar flat surface of the PSA strip 41 adheres to
first surface 31 of mounting base 30 and the other generally planar
flat surface adheres to a relatively flat surface of the article of
merchandise M, such as the rear surface of the display screen S of
a laptop computer, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Each PSA strip 41
comprises a releasing tab 42 at one end that is free of adhesive
and extends outwardly beyond an edge 34 of the mounting base 30
when the strip is adhered to the first surface 31. In use, one or
more PSA strips 41 are secured to first surface 31 of mounting base
30 and thereafter the mounting base and releasable adhesive strip
assembly 40 are together firmly pressed onto a generally flat
surface of the article of merchandise M at a desired location, for
example the rear surface of the display screen S of a laptop
computer, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The housing 50 of the
merchandise display security tether 20 is generally dome-shaped to
extend over and entirely cover the mounting base 30 and adhesive
strip assembly 40. Housing 50 has hole 51 formed therethrough for
receiving the security fastener 70. Security fastener 70 is
tightened using a tool having a proprietary shaped tip to engage
threaded insert 33 of the mounting base 30, and thereby secure the
housing 50 over the mounting base 30 and the adhesive strip
assembly 40. As will be understood and appreciated by those skilled
in the art, security fastener 70 cannot be easily removed without
using the tool having a proprietary shaped tip. Consequently,
housing 50 prevents unauthorized access to the mounting base 30,
and in particular, to releasing tabs 42 of PSA strips 41.
[0019] More particularly, merchandise display security tether 20
comprises mounting base 30 for receiving adhesive strip assembly 40
thereon to securely attach the mounting base to the article of
merchandise M. Housing 50 is configured (sized and shaped) to be
received on mounting base 30 in a manner that prevents access to
the mounting base and the adhesive strip assembly 40 adhered to the
surface 31 of the mounting base. As shown in FIG. 1, security
fastener 70 retains the housing 50 on the mounting base 30 via a
lock washer 71 disposed between the mounting base and the housing.
A clevis 60 is movably disposed between the housing 50 and the head
of the security fastener 70 to receive a security cable 80 for a
purpose to be further described hereafter. In an exemplary
embodiment, the security cable 80 comprises an eyelet attachment 81
at one end and an expansion pin 61 is inserted through clevis 60
and eyelet attachment 81 to securely attach security cable 80 to
clevis 60. The clevis 60 is preferably attached to housing 50 by
security fastener 70 via a smooth swivel coupling so that the
security cable is rotatable relative to the housing.
[0020] Security cable 80 may, for example, consist of a generally
flexible, yet relatively inelastic, steel cable jacketed with a
protective vinyl covering. The end of the security cable 80
opposite the eyelet attachment 81 is permanently formed into a
cable loop 82 by a crimped ferrule 83. Cable loop 82 is dimensioned
sufficiently large to receive housing 50 therethrough so that the
security cable 80 can be looped around a secure bar, pipe, post,
table leg, or the like, in a manner to be described with reference
to FIGS. 5A-5H. Alternatively, the security cable 80 may be secured
via cable loop 82 directly to a tabletop, counter, shelf or other
display surface used in retail sales using an anchor assembly 90
(FIG. 1). Regardless of the method of securing the merchandise
display security tether 20 to the retail sales display, security
cable 80 has a length sufficient to allow a customer to evaluate
the operation and features of the article of merchandise M
including, for example, determining the weight of a laptop computer
and opening and closing the display screen S of the laptop
computer, when making a decision whether to purchase the
merchandise.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, anchor assembly 90 is provided to permit
a retailer to attach the article of merchandise M via the cable
loop 82 of security cable 80 directly to a retail sales display
surface DS, such as a tabletop, shelf or counter. An exemplary
embodiment of an anchor assembly 90 suitable for use with a
merchandise display security tether 20 according to the present
invention is shown in FIG. 3. Anchor assembly 90 comprises an Adel
clamp 91, upper and lower washers 92 disposed on either side of the
Adel clamp, lock nut 93 and security fastener 94. The length of the
security fastener 94 is preferably sized to accommodate tabletops,
shelves and counters of various thicknesses up to about 0.75
inches. As previously described with respect to security fastener
70, security fastener 94 requires the use of a tool having a
proprietary shaped tip to prevent unauthorized removal of security
fastener 94 from display surface DS.
[0022] The series perspective views FIGS. 5A-5H illustrate an
exemplary embodiment of a first method for displaying and
protecting an article of merchandise using the merchandise display
security tether of FIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the
security cable 80 of the merchandise display security tether 20 is
used to attach the article of merchandise M to a secure bar B, such
as a pipe, post, table leg, or the like. As shown in FIG. 5A, a
relatively flat surface S of an article of merchandise M, for
example the display screen of the laptop computer shown in FIG. 4,
is first prepared for receiving the adhesive strip assembly 40 by
cleaning the surface with an alcohol pad. As previously described,
one side of the adhesive strip assembly 40 is pressed into firm
engagement with the first surface 31 of mounting base 30. As shown
in FIG. 5B, release paper covering the PSA strips 41 is then
removed to expose the adhesive on the other side of the strips so
that the combination mounting base 30 and adhesive strip assembly
40 may be firmly pressed against the surface S of the article of
merchandise M at a desired location in the manner illustrated in
FIGS. 5C and 5D. As illustrated in FIGS. 5E and 5F, housing 50 is
connected to the security cable 80 as previously described and then
passed through the cable loop 82 with the security cable looped
(i.e. wrapped) around the bar B of the display. As illustrated in
FIGS. 5G and 5H, housing 50 is next positioned over the mounting
base 30 affixed to the surface S of the merchandise M to
simultaneously cover the combination mounting base 30 and adhesive
strip assembly 40. The special tool having proprietary shaped tip
100 is used to engage the tamper-proof security fastener 70 and
thereby secure housing 50 to the threaded insert 33 of the mounting
base 30. The article of merchandise M may then be positioned in the
desired display orientation to be examined and operated by a
customer. As previously mentioned, security fastener 70 prevents an
unauthorized person from removing the housing 50 from mounting base
30 and thereby gaining access to the releasing tabs 42 (FIG. 5G) of
PSA strips 41. At the same time, security fastener 70 permits an
authorized person to remove the housing 50 from the mounting base
30 for the purpose of relocating the article of merchandise M to
another security cable 80 and housing 50 elsewhere on the display
without the need to detach the merchandise from the mounting
base.
[0023] The series perspective views FIGS. 6A-6J illustrate an
exemplary embodiment of a second method for displaying and
protecting an article of merchandise using the merchandise display
security tether assembly of FIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment,
the anchor assembly 90 of the merchandise display security tether
20 previously described is utilized to attach the security cable
80, and consequently, the article of merchandise M to a display
surface DS, such as a tabletop, shelf or counter of a display. As
shown in FIG. 6A, a relatively flat surface S of an article of
merchandise M, for example the display screen of the laptop
computer shown in FIG. 4, is first prepared for receiving the
adhesive strip assembly 40 by cleaning the surface with an alcohol
pad. As previously described, one side of the adhesive strip
assembly 40 is pressed into firm engagement with the first surface
31 of mounting base 30. As shown in FIG. 6B, release paper covering
the PSA strips 41 is then removed to expose the adhesive on the
other side of the strips so that the combination mounting base 30
and adhesive strip assembly 40 may be firmly pressed against the
surface S of the article of merchandise M at a desired location in
the manner illustrated in FIGS. 6C and 6D. As shown in FIG. 6E, a
suitably sized hole is then drilled through the display surface DS
at a desired location. Housing 50 is connected to the security
cable 80 as previously described and the Adel clamp 91 of the
anchor assembly 90 is positioned around the cable loop 82 of the
security cable 80 as illustrated in FIG. 6F. The special tool
having a proprietary shaped tip 100 is used to engage the
tamper-proof security fastener 94 and thereby secure the Adel clamp
91 to the display surface DS in the manner shown in FIGS. 6G and
6H. As illustrated in FIGS. 6I and 6J, housing 50 is next
positioned over the mounting base 30 affixed to the surface S of
the merchandise M to simultaneously cover the combination mounting
base 30 and adhesive strip assembly 40. The special tool having
proprietary shaped tip 100 is used to engage the tamper-proof
security fastener 70 and thereby secure housing 50 to the threaded
insert 33 of the mounting base 30. The article of merchandise M may
then be positioned in the desired display orientation to be
examined and operated by a customer. As previously mentioned,
security fastener 70 prevents an unauthorized person from removing
the housing 50 from mounting base 30 and thereby gaining access to
the releasing tabs 42 (FIG. 6I) of PSA strips 41. At the same time,
security fastener 70 permits an authorized person to remove the
housing 50 from the mounting base 30 for the purpose of relocating
the article of merchandise M to another security cable 80 and
housing 50 elsewhere on the display without the need to detach the
merchandise from the mounting base.
[0024] The series perspective views FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate an
exemplary embodiment of a method for removing the combination
mounting base and adhesive strip assembly of the merchandise
display security tether of FIG. 1 from an article of merchandise.
When it is desired for an authorized person to detach the
combination mounting base 30 and adhesive strip assembly 40 from
the surface S of the article of merchandise M, housing 50 is first
removed as shown in FIG. 7A by using the special tool having
proprietary shaped tip 100 to disengage tamper-proof security
fastener 70 from the threaded insert 33 of the mounting base 30.
Once the housing 50 is removed and the combination mounting base 30
and adhesive strip assembly 40 is accessible, each of the releasing
tabs 42 of the PSA strips 41 is sequentially grasped and pulled
slowly away from the mounting base 30 in a longitudinal direction
substantially parallel to the surface S of the article of
merchandise M and the first surface 31 of the mounting base 30 in
the manner illustrated in FIG. 7B. As shown in FIG. 7C, the tab 42
of each PSA strip 41 is preferably pulled in a direction
perpendicular to the adhesive contact force between the surface S
of the article of merchandise M and the PSA strip since pulling the
tab at an angle to the surface of the merchandise may cause the tab
to tear and separate. As illustrated in FIG. 7D, pulling the tab 42
of the PSA strip 41 in the manner described herein simultaneously
releases the PSA strip of the adhesive strip assembly 40 from the
surface S of the article of merchandise M and from the first
surface 31 of the mounting base 30. As a result, the releasing tabs
42 of the PSA strips 41 permit an authorized person to readily
(i.e. quickly and easily) remove the combination mounting base 30
and adhesive strip assembly 40 of the merchandise display security
tether 20 from the surface S of the article of merchandise M
without causing damage to the merchandise and without leaving an
adhesive residue on the merchandise that requires subsequent
cleaning.
[0025] The foregoing has described one or more exemplary
embodiments of a merchandise display security tether for displaying
and protecting an article of merchandise. The merchandise display
security tether includes a releasable adhesive so that an
authorized person can readily remove the merchandise display
security tether from the article of merchandise without causing
damage to the merchandise and without leaving an adhesive residue
on the merchandise that requires subsequent cleaning. Exemplary
embodiments of a merchandise display security tether including a
releasable adhesive have been shown and described herein for
purposes of illustrating and enabling the best mode of the
invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and
appreciate that numerous variations and modifications of the
invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention. Accordingly, all such variations and
modifications are intended to be encompassed by the appended
claims.
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